Saudi-Emirati escalation enters dangerous phase, transcends Yemeni arena
SANAA, Jan. 20 (YPA) – The escalation between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has entered an unprecedented stage, as the dispute shifted from limited differences to an open, multi-arena conflict.
This rivalry is no longer confined to the Yemeni file but has extended to other regional theaters, most notably Sudan and Somalia.
This shift comes amid rapid Saudi moves aimed at curtailing Emirati influence and sidelining it from several vital regional files.
In Sudan, developments indicate Saudi mobilization that has resulted in support deals for the Sudanese Army in cooperation with Pakistan. This is interpreted as a clear endeavor to rearrange the balance of power within the Sudanese scene, limiting the Emirati presence and redrawing the map of regional influence in this sensitive arena.
In Somalia, Saudi diplomatic movement emerged through the attendance of several ambassadors—led by the Saudi Ambassador—at the inauguration ceremony of the President of the State of North East Somalia in the city of Las Anod. While this presence was presented as support for Somalia’s unity and stability, its political implications suggest it is a step primarily aimed at downsizing the Emirati role, which maintains a strong and influential presence in the Somali arena.
Closing the Al-Batha Border Crossing: A Direct Message of Escalation
Confirming that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has taken a dangerous turn is Riyadh’s recent closure of the Al-Batha land border crossing with Abu Dhabi. This move, described as a direct and unprecedented escalation, reflects the transition of the dispute into a phase of public confrontation and the use of direct pressure tools.
This procedure carries significance beyond the procedural dimension; it reflects the level of congestion between the two parties and indicates that Riyadh has begun treating Abu Dhabi as a regional rival rather than a partner, portending further tension in the coming period.
The Economic Dimension of the Conflict
The escalation is not limited to military and political files but extends to the economic sector, which constitutes one of the most prominent axes of the struggle. In this context, Riyadh is working to “pull the rug” out from under the UAE by attracting major investments and presenting itself as an alternative regional hub for business and trade.
These moves come within the framework of a Saudi vision aimed at redrawing the Gulf economic map and reducing the role that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have played for decades as the primary economic and financial centers in the region, adding a new dimension to the existing conflict.
A Phase of Open Conflict
Overall data indicates that the relationship between Saudi Arabia and the UAE has entered a phase of open conflict over regional influence, where political, military, economic, and diplomatic files intersect in a multi-front confrontation.
The closure of the Al-Batha crossing, the maneuvers in Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia, alongside the escalating economic competition, are all indicators that the escalation is no longer circumstantial or tactical, but has become a long-term strategic shift.
Despite the intensity of the friction, this conflict remains within the framework of the general project in the region, as Abu Dhabi and Riyadh race to play the role of the most prominent tools serving the American-Zionist project. The difference lies in the fact that the UAE has begun to move overtly following the path of normalization, while Saudi Arabia still attempts to conceal its role, even though its political and practical actions clearly reveal its involvement in the same trajectory.
YPA